Well now, I reckon y’all must be here lookin’ for answers to that crossword clue, “In first place”, huh? I know these puzzles can be a real head-scratcher sometimes, but don’t you worry, we’ll get through it together. That crossword clue, “In first place”, pops up quite a bit in the New York Times crossword, especially in the Mini version. And let me tell ya, folks, I’ve done my share of those puzzles, even if they’re more of a fancy city folk thing, I get the hang of it. So let’s get down to it.
Now, when we’re talkin’ about “in first place”, we’re lookin’ for a word that fits that definition. You know, like when someone’s out front, leadin’ the pack, and everybody else is tryin’ to catch up. I’ve seen it in crosswords before, and it’s usually a short answer, about four letters. That’s right, I’m talkin’ about the word AHEAD.
This word means exactly what it sounds like—when someone’s in the lead, they’re ahead of the others. So, if you’re doin’ that New York Times crossword and you hit that clue, “In first place”, well, just write in AHEAD. I promise you, it’ll fit like a glove. And for those of ya that like to get extra help, you can always check the answers they give in the little green box at the bottom of the crossword page—always good to double-check just to be sure, right?

Now, I’ve been doing these puzzles for a while, though not too much of that fancy stuff they call “mini” puzzles, but the regular ones where you got big squares and they take a bit longer to finish. Sometimes, when you see a clue like “in first place” it might trip ya up a bit, and you start thinkin’ of all kinds of fancy words, but trust me, AHEAD is the one you’re lookin’ for.
And let me tell ya, crosswords ain’t just somethin’ to pass the time. They really help keep your brain sharp. At least, that’s what the younger folks keep tellin’ me. They say, “Grandma, do your puzzles, it’ll keep you from forgettin’ stuff.” And I reckon they’re right, too. Keeps my mind workin’ and keeps me thinkin’ about words and letters in ways I didn’t before. Funny thing is, I never would’ve thought I’d be gettin’ so good at these city games, but here we are!
So next time you’re sittin’ there with your New York Times crossword puzzle in front of you, and that clue “In first place” shows up, just think of that word AHEAD. I guarantee you’ll have that square filled out in no time. You’ll be feelin’ mighty proud of yourself, I bet!
And hey, if you’re not one for crosswords, that’s alright too. But I do say, give it a try once in a while. It’s a good way to relax, maybe with a cup of tea or coffee, and just let your mind wander through all those words. Who knows, you might find yourself ahead of the game, just like that word we were talkin’ about!
Tags:[crossword, first place, ahead, New York Times, Mini crossword, crossword puzzle, NYT crossword, puzzle solutions]